Where in the World?

Question: Where in the world was a spectacular fortress constructed in only three months, now defending a town that is a common film location for Hollywood productions?

Answer: Fort Lovrijenac in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Situated on a rocky spur at Croatia’s southernmost tip, Dubrovnik is renowned for its medieval walls and historic monuments. Once upon a time, Lord Byron called it the "Pearl of the Adriatic." Today, Dubrovnik's character reflects its storied past as an independent city-state that rivaled Venice. Also known by its Latin name, Ragusa, this was a fortress city that served as the base for a fleet of ships that carried trade between much of Europe and the Middle East. The city-state’s period of autonomy extended from 1358 to 1808 and endowed it with a wealth of historic architecture.

One such piece of architecture is its fort. Protruding from the steel-blue waters of the Adriatic Sea, rising about 120 feet above sea level, on the outskirts Dubrovnik, is a big rock outcropping. Upon this hunk of salt-soaked sediment is Fort Lovrijenac (pronounced loh vri yen ats), also known as Fort Lawrence for English-speakers. Once manned by a 25-man garrison and a Commander of the Fort, this fortress has been nicknamed the "Gibraltar of Dubrovnik" and was instrumental in the defense of the western part of Dubrovnik. It has defended Dubrovnik from attacks by both land and sea since it was first built in the early eleventh century.

At this time, Venice planned to entrench its troops at this rock in front of Dubrovnik and build a fortress to conquer the city. However, the leaders of Dubrovnik were made aware of this plan and the citizens were mobilized to build their own fortress before the arrival of the Venetians. Historians at the time claimed that it took the citizens only three months to erect the fortress and from then on was constantly reconstructed, securing a crucial vantage point that dominates both land and sea entrances to the city. When the Venetians arrived with ships carrying troops and supplies, they were surprised to see Fort Lovrijenac foiling their plan.

Triangular and following the contour of the rock on which it was built, the walls of Fort Lovrijenac were once defended by ten huge cannons. Over the entrance to the fortress is an ancient inscription that reads, "Non bene pro toto libertas venditur auro,"" which translates to "Freedom is not sold for all the gold in the world." The fortress has a quadrilateral court with mighty arches. As the height is uneven, it has 3 terraces with powerful parapets, the broadest looking south towards the sea. The fortress was named after St. Lawrence, a much-revered saint at the time of the Dubrovnik Republic, and there was once a church dedicated to him within its walls. Unfortunately, a great deal of the interior was destroyed in Dubrovnik's earthquake of 1667.

Even if the Venetians were to conquer the fort, they wouldn’t get far—a failsafe mechanism was designed into the fortress. The walls exposed to the sea (and enemy fire) are almost 40 feet thick, but the walls facing the city are no thicker than two feet—too thin to hold up against the firepower of the mighty Bokar fortress facing Fort Lovrijenac. This failsafe wasn’t only against the enemies who captured the fort—it was also in case of a rebellion by the Commander of the Fort. If he started an insurrection, he was toast.

As Lovrijenac is considered part of Dubrovnik's defensive system, a visit is included in the price of Dubrovnik's walls and the opening hours are the same. To get to the top, you must climb about 200 steps—but the view is well worth it.

4 Interesting Facts About Dubrovnik…

• Famous movies and TV episodes were shot throughout Dubrovnik—including Fort Lovrijenac: Dubrovnik is so scenic you feel as if you’re walking through a movie set as you stroll its streets, and that’s because it quite literally has been a movie set—many times. The Stradun in Dubrovnik’s old town was the filming location for Star Wars Episode VIII, and Game of Thrones was shot all over the city. For those who know the series: St. Dominika Street is where Cersei made her walk of shame. Minceta Tower is used as the House of the Undying, where Daenerys recovers her stolen dragons. Pile Bay is Blackwater Bay, seen a multitude of times in the series. On Lokrum Island there is a chance to sit on the Iron Throne and visit another filming site at the Benedictine Monastery. Last but not least, Fort Lovrijenac is where the tournament was held on King Joffrey’s name day. Additionally, Fort Lovrijenac is the site of a popular, annual production of "Hamlet" during the Dubrovnik Summer Festival and it’s also the venue for the Croatian phase of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.


• Dubrovnik was the first "country" (being the Republic of Ragusa at the time), to banish slavery in 1416: Slavery was condemned by Ragusians as being "shameful, wrong and disgusting, and against all humanity." For context, the slave trade was not banned in Britain until 1833 and it took the U.S. until 1865.


• Dubrovnik—back when it was the Republic of Ragusa—was the first country to recognize the United States as a sovereign state: Dubrovnik had a key role in the blossoming independence of the United States. The newly born U.S., eager for trade agreements with Europe, made a deal with Ragusa. Soon after, a shipment of hides arrived from Baltimore, New York, and Philadelphia. It is also said that Dubrovnik was the first state in the world to recognize the United States of America back in 1783 after achieving independence from Britain.


• Some of Dubrovnik’s buildings are the oldest of their kind in the world—and they’re still in use: It’s claimed that the world’s first commercial pharmacy opened in Dubrovnik. The truth is, it’s the third oldest in Europe—but it’s the oldest pharmacy still in use on the continent today. Located inside Dubrovnik’s Franciscan Monastery, it was founded in 1317. Back then, the monks would make herbal remedies for local Ragusians. It has been in operation for 700 years, currently functioning as a modern pharmacy, but a selection of face creams and herbal teas, made to traditional recipes, is also available. Many original objects, such as stone bowls, ancient lab equipment, ceramics and enormous medical books are on display in the monastery museum, yet the many containers set on its shelves are still in their original spots and date all the way back to the 15th century. Additionally, Dubrovnik had the first orphanage in the world, as part of the Monastery of St Clare, which opened its doors to take in children in 1432. Finally, Dubrovnik has a medieval sewer system dating from 1296—which is still in use today.

Visit Fort Lovrijenac as you stroll through the streets of Dubrovnik during our Crossroads of the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Slovenia adventure.